Take Back The City this morning issued a statement condemning the actions of the security guards.

They claim the crew acted illegally by arriving in a van with no registration plate at its front and a UK registration number at its rear before entering the building using electric saws and power tools.

The group said: "None of these men were wearing any identification to indicate the name of their employer, in direct contravention of the Private Security (Identity Badge) Regulations 2009."

The statement continued: "Take Back the City condemns the actions of the security firm who illegally carried out forceful evictions on occupants at 34 North Frederick Street, a building which had been left idle for more than three years."

They added that a solidarity rally will take place later today, with more details to be announced on the Take Back the City Facebook page.